Grading baseball cards is a key part of the hobby for collectors and investors alike. The grade that a card receives can have a major impact on its value, so it’s important for anyone dealing in vintage baseball cards to have a solid understanding of the grading process and scale used by the major third-party grading companies.
While examining the condition and centering of a card may seem fairly straightforward on the surface, determining precise grades can actually be quite nuanced. There are many aspects of a card that grading services analyze under a microscope, including corners, edges, surface, and centering. Even seemingly minor flaws like light edgewear or off-centering can result in a grade deduction.
The two dominant graders in the market are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Both companies use a 1-10 point scale, with 10 being a “gem mint” flawless copy of the card and 1 signifying a card that is damaged beyond any collection value. Let’s take a deeper look at what each numerical grade represents from these respected authenticators.
PSA/BGS GRADE 10 (GEM MINT):
To achieve the coveted and ultra-rare PSA/BGS 10 grade, a card must be in absolutely flawless condition. There can be no creases, bends, scratches or whitening on any part of the card. The corners must be sharp with no rounding at all. The surface must have bright, vivid color with no printing defects or fading. Centering must be precisely cut with equal margins all around the image. Only the finest conditioned specimens that look as if they were just printed yesterday attain this highest designation. A PSA/BGS 10 card in a desirable vintage set or of a star player is among the most valuable in the hobby.
PSA/BGS GRADE 9 (MINT):
Slightly below a perfect 10, cards in the PSA/BGS 9 range are incredibly well-preserved examples that have very minimal, if any flaws. Corners may have just the slightest hint of rounding but are still sharp. The surface may have a few tiny speckles or print lines visible only under strong magnification. Centering is still excellent but could be just barely off-center by a millimeter or less. Edges remain completely clean and crisp. A 9 grade denotes a near-pristine card still worthy of a strong premium.
PSA/BGS GRADE 8 (NEAR MINT-MINT):
As we move to an 8 grade, collectors start to see very subtle signs of wear but the cards still maintain exceptional eye appeal. Corners may have more noticeable tip rounding but not enough to break the card’s smooth outer edges. Centering shifts a bit more off but still within reason. The surface could show a few light handling marks or imprints. Otherwise, the colors remain bright and vivid with no creasing or bends present. An 8 grade card still looks excellent and original but under more critical inspection.
PSA/BGS GRADE 7 (EXCELLENT):
At the 7 designation, collectors start to see clear signs of light wear and age but cards are still in outstanding original condition. Corners may be rounded and tips could start to become blunted. Centering is reasonably off with a thicker border on one or two sides. Light edge wear rises, yet edges hold together cleanly still. The surface may contain some small indentations, scratching or spots. Colors fade ever so slightly but artwork retains sharp definition and clarity. Under strong magnification flaws become evident, lowering points but still an attractive original 7 grade specimen.
PSA/BGS GRADE 6 (VERY GOOD):
Reaching a 6 puts a card firmly in the “used” category with several noticeable flaws now present. Corners take on firm rounding and tip wear. Centering drifts significantly off with thick margins on 2-3 sides. Edge wear intensifies with the start of some minor chipping possible. The surface shows a scattering of handling marks, indentations or spots across the front. Slight bending may occur in certain areas. Colors experience perceptible fading and artwork definition softens when compared to higher grades. Still, with flaws “very good” condition remains.
PSA/BGS GRADE 5 (GOOD):
At the 5 grade level, aging effects and usage marks tell the clear story of a well-loved vintage card. Blunted corners undergo more abrupt rounding. Severe off-centering comes into play as a thick border develops on over half the sides. Edge wear advances with chips or fraying visible along some areas. The surface presents numerous marks, indentations and faint scratches scattered about the surface taking away from crispness. Bends may form across certain regions of the cardboard. Colors fade noticeably with artwork losing definition. Structure remains intact defining it as “good.”
PSA/BGS GRADE 4 (VERY GOOD):
Reaching the bottom half of the grading scale, a 4 grade baseball card shows accelerated wear befitting its age. Rounded corners bulge with tips flattened. Off-centering runs extreme as thick borders encapsulate over 3/4 of the image. Edges experience fraying, small tears or sizable chips. The surface area becomes marred, with deep scratches, creases or staining present in spots. Bends arise across many sections of the card influencing its structure. Colors fade significantly with artwork losing fine details. Playability remains, albeit with “very poor” eye appeal by collector standards.
PSA/BGS GRADE 3 (GOOD):
At the 3 grade, a card has clearly endured years of regular usage and handling from its original owner(s). Corners transition fully to a bulbous rounded form. The image becomes encapsulated on all sides by profoundly thick borders due to wild off-centering. Edges deteriorate notably with moderate tears or chips eliminating clean structure. The surface transforms roughened with creases, deep scratches or staining etched into the cardboard material. Bends and waves develop throughout distorting the once flat card. Colors fade to a markedly different tone compared to new ones. Defining flaws overshadow any remaining appeal.
PSA/BGS GRADE 2 (POOR):
By a 2 grade distinction, a card shows such advanced wear as to border on being a ragged relic more than a presentable collectible. Rounded corners balloon enormously while tips flatten entirely. Off-centering runs to an extreme where less than a 1/4 of the original image remains visible. Egregious edge wear brings partial tears or large chips compromising integrity. The surface devolves severely damaged with deep creases, extensive scratching or staining disfiguring much of the cardboard substrate. Substantial warping bends and waves distort the structure. Faded colors differ quite a lot from their original shades. Only the hardiest collectors would accept a 2 grade card into their collections based more on historical interest than condition.
PSA/BGS GRADE 1 (POOR):
Only assigned occasionally, a 1 grade signifies a card approaching non-existence in terms of appearance relative to when it was originally issued. Massively rounded bulbs replace any vestige of corners. Off-centering relegates all but a minuscule sliver of the original image under thickened borders. Severe edge wear approaches allowing entry of environmental elements or exposing the cardboard weave material outright. The surface area transforms a pitted, scratched, creased, stained shell of damage throughout. Distorted warping bends change the overall shape entirely. Faded colors differ starkly from their earlier hues making designs difficult to discern. At a grade of 1, any collector value comes through condition as a crumbling artifact of times past instead of a presentable collectible.
The meticulous grading guidelines of top companies like PSA and BGS provide collectors an objective and standardized system for evaluating the condition attributes that impact a vintage baseball card’s preciousness and price tag. Understanding what separates each numerical designation can arm those in the hobby with greater discernment when appraising everything from common to superstar cards in circulated condition. An card deemed “poorer” maintains historical interest for knowledgeable fans but may hold drastically less financial worth than a gem mint preserved counterpart from the same set and year.
